Chapter IX: Three Plans of Great Addresses

For the purpose of showing how completely speech of all kinds may be embraced in a brief skeleton, we place before the reader three addresses of the most varied characteristics, yet each most admirable in its own department. One of these is English in origin, one Greek, and the last may well be styled universal, comprising, as it does, every element of excellence.

At the end of the first year of the great war waged between Sparta and Athens, Pericles pronounced a funeral oration over the dead who had fallen in the Athenian cause. Much of the language employed may, perhaps, be ascribed to the invention of the historian, Thucydides, but the substance and many of the strong expressions probably fell from the lips of the great statesman and orator of Athens. The speech possesses the simplicity and classic grace for which Grecian art has ever been celebrated. The orator’s SUBJECT was furnished by the occasion—the worthiness of the sacrifice which the fallen heroes had made to the greatness and glory of their native land. His OBJECT was to encourage the living to continue the war with ardor and support its privations with fortitude. There are no digressions, no anecdotes, and scarcely any illustrations. The glory of Athens and of her dead heroes is the one theme ever before him. This severe simplicity is carried too far to be entirely pleasing to modern taste, but the effect is certainly grand and sublime. A few very strong sentences relieve the general tone of clear, calm description. The translation is that of Professor Jowett.

OUTLINE OF FUNERAL SPEECH.

OCCASION.—The burial of those Athenians who fell in the first year
of the Peloponnesian War.

SUBJECT.—The glory of Athens and of the heroes who died for her.

OBJECT.—To nourish patriotism and fan warlike enthusiasm.

INTRODUCTION.—Inadequacy of words to the praise of the brave.

I. THE SOURCE OF ATHENIAN GREATNESS.

1. The praise of ancestors who procured freedom and empire for the
city.

2. Excellencies of the form of our Government.

3. Refinements of our life.

4. In war we are an over-match for all our enemies.

5. All our citizens are interested in public affairs, which are
freely discussed.

6. In short, Athens is the school of Hellas.

II. THE PRAISE OF THE FALLEN.

1. The above praise of the city is the praise of the dead, for they
made her great.

2. Death is the final seal of their virtues and secures them from
all change of fortune.

3. The whole earth is full of their glory, and their example is
precious to their country.

III. COMFORT TO KINDRED.

1. To parents.

2. To sons, brothers, and widows.